Bates County Robotics Team Competes

The Brick Heads, the FLL team for Bates County Robotics, had a full day of competition Saturday January 12 at Kansas City’s Union Station. The team has been planning for this event since last May when it registered with Firstrobotics LEGO League.

Each year for over twenty years, FLL has issued a challenge to teams of 9-14 year old with competition on an international level. The Brick Heads worked hard; and truly enjoyed finding ways to make life better for their senior partner in Senior Solutions. Their robot which they named “Dominator” performed well for each of the three table competitions. In these, the team divided into three pairs; each pair put Dominator thru its’ paces on a four foot by eight foot arena completing missions to help seniors lead an “Independent, Engaged, and Connected” life. Two of the missions relate to quilting, one is for woodworking, and another is gardening.

There are a dozen missions on the arena; and over the last five months, the team has programmed Dominator to attempt all of them. Each of the three table competitions lasts for two and one-half minutes; so, each pair had to decide which missions to complete. Bowling was added to their list recently. The team members know they must program and set-up the robot precisely to perform a specific mission. Robots are only a part of FLL; there is also the Project, Core Values, and Robot Design presentations.

In the Project the team presents a plan which it has prepared in addition to the missions on the arena. The Brick Heads determined to make a system to access high shelves without using a step stool. Their idea of rotating shelves would do just that. During research they learned a manufacturer does make a moving shelf product. So, they contacted the manufacturer to learn more; which they incorporated into their presentation. In Robot Design they present to a judge the development of their robot. This includes problems they encountered, and how they determined which of their ideas would be used.

Core Values focuses on what FLL calls “Gracious Professionalism” which is the equivalent of sportsmanship. As well as respecting other teams, FLL members work at helping other teams if they see something in which they can help. The Brick Heads have excelled in Core Values and the Project, but the KC Regional is the end for them this year. They are already preparing for next year’s challenge which will be “Nature’s Fury”.

 Bates County Robotics, of which the Brick Heads are a part, is operating under the umbrella of Adrian Community Chest.  Donations made to the community chest with a note that they are for robotics are under Adrian Community Chest which is a 501- C-3 tax exempt organization.  The FLL team or teams will continue this year, and the program will grow.  Sufficient funding will assure expansion to First Tech Challenge which is for 12 – 18 year olds, and having at least two teams in each age group provides opportunity for local competition.  Any questions should be referred to Jerry Ferguson at 816-297-2534 or 512 N Mulberry Adrian, MO 64720.